International Canoe Nationals at Dale Yacht Club
by Andy Biden 20 Jun 2005 12:06 BST
11-14 June 2005
Phil Allen finishes 2nd in the asymmetric fleet at the International Canoe nationals © Dale YC
Three brand new canoes, yet to kiss the water, were among the twenty one entries for the International Canoe National Championships at Dale YC from 11 to 14 June. Prototyping a new course layout, with the standard IC’s starting their triangle and sausage course on port side of the committee board, and the asymmetric boats (AC’s) starting their separate windward/leeward course on the other side of the committee boat five minutes later.
The first race saw a light south-westerly fade to nothing in the middle of the race to be replaced by a northerly, which remained for the second race. Simon Allen and Mark Goodchild won the IC races with Robin Wood posting two firsts in the AC’s.
Sunday saw the northerly at force four and lots of thrills and a few spills were experienced. In the AC’s Peter Conway in the oldest boat in the fleet led up the first beat only to round the IC’s windward mark closely followed by Phil Allen! Rob Michael claimed a victory in his beautiful but menacing looking new AC, from Wood and Steve Bowen. Simon Allen led a clean sweep for the day in the IC’s.
By Monday, the winds had gone round to the west at force four for the short race. Goodchild won in the IC’s. Steve Bowen won the AC’s. After Lunch, race officer John Webber set a varied fifteen mile race around Milford Haven, its islands and forts and then out to sea for some very historic trophies. This race tends to bring out the Corinthian spirit which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the competitors. After a mass start all the boats set off up a short beat back in to Dale, the fleet turned the windward mark; the AC’s hoisted their kites and cleared off down a three mile run to Thorn Island. Wood raised his game to take the hard fought win from Bowen, to take home the Murphy Howard Cup (cast from the keel of ‘Columbia’ defender of the 1899 Americas Cup) in the long distance AC race. Michael had a ding dong battle with Phil Allen to just take third after over two hours on the course. Goodchild crossed the club line finishing fifth to win the Sailing Challenge Cup for the first IC home.
The final day saw a steadier force three, much to the relief of many tired limbs. Goodchild took two more victories to edge out Simon Allen by one point to regain the IC championship. Wood took two more bullets to claim the AC crown.
Dale YC provided excellent facilities, a friendly race team and staff, all in a picture post card village. With plenty of wind and good sunshine the IC fleet must have thought they were in heaven.
Overall Results:
IC:
1st Mark Goodchild (Medway YC) 11pts
2nd Simon Allen (Hayling Island SC) 12pts
3rd Colin Newman (Draycote Water SC) 28pts
4th Mike Shreeve (Draycote Water SC) 38pts
5th Dave Timson (Llandegfedd SC) 40pts
6th Alan Powell (Oxford SC) 49pts
AC:
1st Robin Wood (Saunderfoot SC) 9pts
2nd Phil Allen (Hayling Island SC) 24pts
3rd Steve Bowen (Abereaeron YC) 28pts
4th Rob Bell (Grafham Water SC) 38pts
5th Colin Brown (Scaling Dam SC) 40pts
6th Tony Robertshaw (Weston SC) 44pts